[3GScottishUser]

From Mobile Today (29/06/2006):

Many Nokia 6280 handsets are suffering from software problems and have been sent back, dealers have told Mobile.

Customers have returned their phones with complaints of screens going blank, being unable to connect to Bluetooth, battery issues, memory problems and the phone turning itself off. Some dealers reported sending back as many as 80% of 6280s sold.

One dealer said that the software needs upgrading and the memory card compatibility needs to be checked. Another said: 'We've stopped recommending them.'

Nokia's head of communications, Mark Squires, said the software in initial batches did have problems but the phones were recalled.

He added: 'The current version has 3.60 software; if anyone is still having problems, we invite them to get a free upgrade.'

http://www.mobiletoday.co.uk/content/3052.asp

[Ben]

Wow, it's taken a while for the full ramifications of those first few batches to surface. Fortunately it would apear that 3.60 and beyond resolved the various issues and so now it's just a case of clearing up the mess... I'm glad Nokia are getting bitten on the ass about this though - beta testing on the public just isn't an acceptable practice.

[Hands0n]

3.60 does indeed resolve the ton of issues that the 6280 was beset with on day one. The trouble is, some people simply will not send their handsets back for a reflash, either living with it (my daughter for instance!!!) or getting all tetchy and sending it back for replacement with another model. But then again, we are used to things simply working when we buy them. Early adopters will put up, to a point, with the early teething problems.

Nokia should not be complacent and assume that this is acceptable way of doing business. Their (and others) testing is clearly inadequate if these silly faults are not being identified at the beta test stage.

[Ben]

Unfortunately Nokia's software shortcomings are not reflected in their market share performance. The last article I read, I assume it was in Mobile, actually claimed Nokia have been increasing their market share recently. Perhaps the 6280 and N80 software glitches will be reflected in the next batch of figures.

[Hands0n]

Yes, Nokia's market share is completely unbeatable at the moment, and I suppose that situation is unlikely to change in the near term. They have history, and that is their biggest asset. Their handsets are all pretty good on paper too, if not in fact! But these software issues are going to do them no favours at all.

If this is to be the pattern for future Nokia OSes then the only answer for them is to implement OTA firmware updates and for the mobile operators to not charge for the data in such circumstances!

Alternatively, they need to strengthen up their beta testing programme to identify the bugs before they get out into the pockets of the punters.

[TailGater]

I believe there are models already with OTA firmware updates (named FOTA, cmiiw). Just checked the Nokia website.

[Hands0n]

Seems to be some of the 61xx series i.e. 6131, 6136 and 6151. It is indeed a start, they need to extend it across the range. But then the issue of network operator data charges becomes a factor in the cost of ownership of the handset! That could be significant at £7.50 per MByte as charged on some PAYG tariffs.